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Introduction: and Aims: Opioid overdose can be reversed with timely administration of naloxone. In Australia, naloxone was rescheduled from prescription only (S4) to pharmacist only over-the-counter (OTC, S3) in February 2016, increasing access for the general public. A key barrier to naloxone supply by pharmacists is a lack of knowledge, highlighting the role of pharmacist education. Community pharmacists' education, experience, and training preferences related to naloxone provision, overdose, and substance use disorder were examined.Methods: Online survey data from a national sample of Australian pharmacists on their educational preferences regarding naloxone and overdose prevention, and prior training on substance use disorder (n = 595) was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate regression analysis. Data from qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews with pharmacists about OTC naloxone provision (n = 21) was analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Most pharmacists (81%, n = 479) were willing to be trained in opioid overdose prevention, with greater willingness to attend training associated with younger age, being female, fewer years of practice, not having attended previous education on substance use disorder, and higher confidence in issues relating to substance use disorder. Qualitative interviews confirmed community pharmacists' willingness to attend training but analysis revealed low awareness, knowledge, and confidence about naloxone and preventing opioid overdose. Most pharmacists preferred online training or webinars.Discussion and Conclusion: Most community pharmacists in Australia are willing to attend training on providing naloxone and preventing opioid overdose. There are opportunities to develop and expand the online presence of training, guidelines, and education materials to facilitate the expanded supply of OTC naloxone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Herbal/nutrient weight-loss complementary medicines ( WLCMs) are widely available in community pharmacies and are popular with Australian consumers. Pharmacists have an obligation to ensure they provide appropriate advice to consumers about complementary medicines as they do with registered prescription medicines. Aims (i) To assess community pharmacists' knowledge regarding current evidence for the efficacy, potential side effects, and drug interactions of commonly sold/recommended WLCMs. (ii) To ascertain whether self-reported level of knowledge is a reliable predictor of WLCM knowledge. Method Pharmacists from a randomly selected sample of 214 community pharmacies in the Greater Brisbane region, Australia, were invited to complete a knowledge-based questionnaire relating to three commonly sold/recommended WLCMs - garcinia, green tea and chromium. Results Ninety-nine pharmacists completed the questionnaire (51% response rate). Approximately 20% selected the appropriate efficacy ratings for garcinia and green tea, with only 10% selecting the appropriate response for chromium. A mismatch was observed between what pharmacists recognised as adverse effects and interactions for the three common WLCMs compared to published findings, with a bias toward nervous system (i.e. insomnia and headache) and gastrointestinal side effects, and interactions with warfarin. Pharmacists who reported a good working knowledge were statistically able to identify only one of 14 adverse effects (insomnia associated with green tea) more than those reporting knowing little/don't remember/never heard of these WLCMs, yet were more likely to recommend the WLCMs green tea and chromium. Conclusion Irrespective of pharmacists' perceived levels of WLCM knowledge, there is a need for targeted education interventions focusing on commonly sold WLCMs that have potential safety concerns. Pharmacists should also understand the regulatory landscape for listing CMs in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods ( ARTG) and its implications relating to product efficacy, which may affect their decision to supply WLCM products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Australia, 61% of pharmacy staff (pharmacists and pharmacy assistants) state that on average they are consulted for oral health care advice 2 or more times each week. International studies recognize the potential to enhance pharmacy staff roles in oral health care, given they are regularly consulted for a variety of oral health issues.Objectives: This study explored the preparedness of pharmacy staff to provide oral health care education and advice within Australian community pharmacies. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the types of oral health education resources available for pharmacy staff and patients within Australian community pharmacies; (2) determine pharmacy staff awareness of available Australian government-funded dental services or schemes and; (3) explore pharmacy staff views regarding safety of drinking water fluoridation in Australia.Methods: Pharmacists and pharmacy assistants from a randomly selected national sample of 5700 Australian community pharmacies were invited to complete an online or postal questionnaire. Participants were offered a A$10 incentive to enhance response rates. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for the analysis.Results: The response rate for the pharmacist cohort was 58.5% (644 of 1100) and 28% (280 of 1000) for pharmacy assistants. More than 80% of pharmacy staff did not have oral health education resources for patients and did not have access to oral health information resources for their own education. Nearly all staff (96%) were unaware of government Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and Department of Veterans' Affairs dental funding support. Approximately one-third of pharmacy staff believed that water fluoridation in drinking water supplies was unsafe or were unsure of its safety.Conclusions: Oral health care training and education resources are needed to support pharmacy staff to deliver improved and responsive oral health care within Australian communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights from the article: B Introduction: b Interprofessional education (IPE) between dentistry and pharmacy students is an approach to teach effective collaborative practice between a team of future healthcare providers. B Aims: b The aims of this narrative review were to: (1) consolidate and discuss the range and efficacy of various IPE initiatives/methods between pharmacy and dentistry students internationally and; (2) identify the perceived barriers to delivery and the methods used to overcome such hurdles.